Loose-leaf binder.



L. M. COOK.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6. 1915.

1,161,619. Patented Nov. 23, 1915.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH Co., WASHINGTON. D c.

MFFlM J.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. as, rare.

Application filed. March 6, 1915. Serial No. 12,602.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LELIA M. Goon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, county of Kings, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Loose- Leaf Binders, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to loose leaf binders for fastening papers in file formation, and has for its primary object to provide a device of this character embodying a simple and cheap construction, and particularly one which can be relied upon to carry out its intended use with the greatest efliciency.

Another object of the invention is to produce a device of the character described which may be constructed of a single piece of metal or some other suitable material which may be readily flexible, in order that it may properly perform its intended function.

With these and minor objects in view, the invention may be more readily understood upon reference to the illustrative embodi-- ments shown in the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification.

In said drawing :Figure 1 is a perspective view of a file of papers showing the invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device as it will appear when stamped out; Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the ends turned up to provide suitable catches; Fig. 4C is a top view showing the device made up and ready to receive the loose leaves of the file; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the file with the device applied thereto; Fig. 6 is a top plan view with a portion of the file showing the manner of attaching the device.

Referring to the drawings in detail it is proposed to construct the device preferably with a single strip of thin narrow metal 1, the length of which may be varied according to the thickness of the file of papers to be fastened. It is also proposed to taper the device as shown at 2 from a point approximately one inch from each end to about one-eighth or one-quarter of an inch from the end. With the strip thus tapered, the width thereof at this point will be approximately one-half the width of the middle portion of the plate, and the extreme ends 3 of the strip are thus left full widths and are adapted to be bent over transversely of the longitudinal plane of the strip in order to form securing clips 4. The bent over portions of the strips which form the securing clips i are bent in opposite directions to each other in order to produce a clip i on each side of the strip. But both clips are on the same edge of the strip and open in the same direction therefrom, so that when the overlapped ends are interlocked by the clips, pressure in the direction of the plane of the overlapped ends. applied against the edges carrying the clips, such as would result from turning back the bound leaves in Fig. 1, would have the effect -of forcing the clips in the direction of interlock and would'thus be resisted, whereas edgewise pressure in the opposite direction readily releases the interlock. With the clips thus formed on the respective ends of the securing strip, the strip is bent as shown at 5 to provide side pieces 6 at right angles to the bottom portion 7 of the strip. These side pieces 6 are adapted to pass up through the file A and by holding the leaves of the file firmly in place, the ends of the strip are again bent over as shown at 8, and with the ends thus bent, they are crossed and made to lie flat on the top of the file, when the clips 4 are adapted to engage the sides of the strip and hold the device, as well as the file of papers which it is binding together, firmly in place.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen that the device constructed as stated, will be a very cheap article of manufacture, and particularly one which will produce a very practicable file binder. It will be seen that the clips 4 engage the sides of the strip and provide a double locking securing device for retaining the files, and will also prevent the ends of the fastener from becoming loose, and in this manner obviating the necessity of using either a bottom or top plate, which plates are generally required in connection with all fasteners heretofore employed.

I claim 1. A device for fastening papers in file formation, comprising a single strip of flexible material having ends adapted to pass through the paper file and lap one upon the other, said ends having securing clips, the clip on each end being in position to interlock with the other end when the ends are overlapped.

2. A device for fastening papers in file formation, comprising a single strip of flexible material having ends adapted to pass through the paper file and lap one upon the other, said ends having securing clips, the clip on each end being in position to interlock With the other end when the ends are overlapped, and both being on the same edge of the strip and opening in the same direction therefrom.

3. A device for fastening papers in file formation, comprisinga single strip of flexible'material having securing clips on its respective ends presented on opposite faces of the strip, the clip on each end being in position to engage the other end When the device is in fastening position.

4. A device for fastening papers in file formation, comprising a single strip of flexible material having a tapered portionnear its. respective ends, the portion between the tapered portion and the ends being of substantially the same Width as that of the middle of the strip and being turned over on opposite faces of the strip to provide securing clips for attaching and securing the ends together when the device is in fastening position.

5. A device for fastening papers in file formation, comprising a single strip of flexible material having a reduced portion near its respective ends, and an end portion of substantially the same Width as that of the middle of the strip, said end portion being adapted to be turned over to provide securing clips on opposite faces of the strip, the clip on each end being presented to engage the other end when the device is in fastening position.

The foregoing specification signed at Brooklyn, New York, this 5th day of March,

LELIA M. COOK.

In presence of EUGENE I-I. SULLIVAN, JOHN A. TI-IAKE.

Copies of this patent maybe obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, -Washington, D. G. 

